Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon River is the world’s largest river by volume. The Amazon is estimated to have 16,000 tree species and 390 billion individual trees. At 6.9 million square kilometers (2.72 million square miles), the Amazon Basin is roughly the size of the forty-eight contiguous United States and covers some 40 percent of the South American continent.

Millions of years ago, the Amazon River once flowed from east to west, emptying into the Pacific Ocean.Tourism has certain negative effects on any destination but is also beneficial for the local communities of the Amazon. It generates an income and decreases the necessity they may feel to smuggle valuable (and threatened or endangered) animals to other parts of the world for the financial gain they stand in line to gain.

The best way to experience the Amazon Jungle and its massive rivers is by boat. Trained guides can be hired (ensure that you are referred to a reputable guide) for individual travelers as well as larger groups. These ones will allow you to cruise along the deep waters, and spy into the dense rainforest.